Ranger Heritage

The Yellowstone Park Foundation supports projects that promote the effectiveness, safety, and efficiency of rangers, and preserves the tradition of rangers in Yellowstone.

Adopt-a-Horse

Photo Credit: NPS

Funding Needed: $20,000 (Funded)Annual Funding Needed: $2,000 Covers the Cost of Veterinary Needs, Feed or Shoeing One Horse for One Year

Support can ensure that Yellowstone Rangers and horses are better equipped for the important work they perform, such as Ranger patrols, carrying firefighting equipment, search-and-rescue supplies, and trail building materials.

Search, Observe and Report

Photo Credit: NPS

Funding Needed: $5,000 Annually

Aircraft surveillance is an important tool for monitoring Yellowstone’s backcountry areas and its remote perimeter. Flights have found unknown camps close to the Park’s boundaries, helping field rangers on the ground focus their patrol efforts in order to identify unknown hunting camps, and stop illegal snowmobile activity in sensitive thermal areas.

Bechler Trail Removal

Photo Credit: Matt Ludin

Funding Needed: $38,100 (Funded)

This illegal trail will be removed, and the damaged area restored. Travel across these backcountry areas will then only be open to visitors who practice leave-no-trace principles.

Security Systems for Entrances

Photo Credit: Matt Ludin

Funding Needed: $170,000

The goal of this program is to continue to enhance the Park’s capability to protect resources and visitors from criminal activity by adding high-tech equipment that will help identify and capture criminals. This project will also aid in the distribution of “Be on the Lookouts” for stolen vehicles and other felony and misdemeanor activities, and assist in search and rescue incidents.

Campground Host Golf Carts

Photo Credit: NPS

Funding Needed: $20,000

Campground hosts use golf carts to complete their daily work, and are used in highly trafficked public areas. The new carts will contribute to the Park’s green transportation vehicle fleet.

Bertram Boat Restoration

Photo Credit: NPS

Funding Needed: $150,000 (Funded)

The Bertram Boat is used for rough water emergency operations on Yellowstone Lake. Not only is it an outstanding emergency response boat, but it is a piece of Yellowstone history, with significant operational value. It has shuttled countless rescuers, firefighters, VIPs and Rangers over the last 47 years. Restoration of this boat is critical, since no boat manufacturers today are building boats with the same capabilities.

Yellowstone Corral Projects

Photo Credit: NPS

In 2008, YPF donors -- led by ARCH Venture Partners employees and friends -- helped fund a partnership that brings rangers and volunteers together for an annual week-long work project. Since then, volunteers and Yellowstone staff have contributed long hours on a major corral restoration project in the Park. Patrolling the backcountry and monitoring trails activity and scientific field work requires support from stock animals kept at operational bases near developed areas. With additional help from the Wounded Warrior Project/Disabled Sports USA volunteers since 2009, significant corral improvements have made rangers’ work and stock alike safer and more efficient. The partners rebuilt the West Corral in fall 2011, and in 2012 and 2013 volunteers and Park staff worked to rebuild corrals at the Lake Ranger Station. Advance donations are welcome as project materials are funded by private donations.

The Yellowstone Park Foundation, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization, works in cooperation with the National Park Service to fund projects and programs that protect, preserve, and enhance the natural and cultural resources and the visitor experience of Yellowstone National Park.